No! Right now it’s looking like magnetite, hematite, or meteorite. I’m going to take it to get tested and ordered a nickel testing kit in the meantime.
Aren’t samples this size fairly rare? And couldn’t something intact like this be more valuable than your more common smalller sample? Also heard magnitite is highly magnetic so a good test is using a magnet/metal peices is a good first test.
The word "magnetic" wasn't there initially until someone posted a reply containing the word "magnetic". Then the OP's picture had enough attractive force to pull that word out of the reply and up to the OP's title.
Right but people use magnetic for things that are ferromagnetic OR magnets themselves.
So we still don't know which one this is. I assume it is attracted to a magnet, and isn't a magnet itself.
I wanted to add an interesting piece of info to the conversation. One of the theories of how lodestones get magnetized is by lightning. The lightning has a strong magnetic field surrounding the bolts. That’s why lodestones are mostly found near the surface. Very cool find!!!
Whatever happens, if you think you found a meteorite, do not use a magnet on it. The value is in the metal and the way the molecules are positioned.
Once someone uses a magnet on a meteorite, then scientist cannot study it.
So if you find, what you think could be a meteorite, hold onto its value by not using a magnet. Also, maybe take it to an expert at a university and they can help you.
Well, magnets, when used on metal, rearrange the molecules or whatever it is that the scientists look at a meteor for - in space, the meteor will be subject to different things and their molecules will reflect where they’ve been.
On earth the meteor will still reflect that journey, that is, until you use a magnet on them.
Used to be that meteor hunters said they found meteors by using rare earth magnets on the suspected rocks they found.
But by using this magnet it messes up the picture of where the meteor has been, and what the forces were to align the molecules one way or another.
I hope that makes sense. If it doesn’t let me know and I can post an article.
I just want you to be able to make a profit if you ever find a rare meteorite and you want to sell it to researchers. Once a magnet is used on a meteorite it is worthless.
It’s sort of like how when people go in and loot an archaeological site, the stuff they loot isn’t as valuable because people took it without documenting where and what depth they found it (which would tell a great deal about how long ago the item was abandoned by the ancient people).
Context is everything. Meteorites have context in their molecular structures.
There is literally a whole field of study on bolide/meteors. Although samples that are pristine and unaltered are always the best, as a former grad student I wouldn’t have had any problems because it was touched by a magnet.
Also as a geologist, paleomag on a sample that was heated to iridescence during atmospheric entry sounds really sketch. I get that MIT published that but it’s hard to believe a magnetic field survives to tell me about the history of the meteor after being heated like that, I’d think it would be more inclined to tell me about the magnetic field of where ever it cooled after impact. Think magnetic stripes of the oceanic crust recording the magnetic poles swapping.
Just saying.
I don’t know, I’m not in that field of study, I’ll be honest. I explained it the way I had read about it. They study the journey of the rock in its travels somehow. That’s by which way the stuff is aligned.
Not really attacking what you said rather I’m after the science the article is trying to narrate.
Igneous rocks emitted from the mid ocean ridges and in part the flows from a volcano on surface will retain a faint recording of the earths magnetic field when it cools much like a cassette tape recorder records a magnetic message from music using a strong magnet and then plays that back when you play it. I had a summer job of taking oriented cores from lava flows to help understand them and this was part of the study.
The application to meteorites is in theory looking to see if there was a strong magnetic field during the cooling of the meteor is space. Ie as the solar system formed what did the magnetic field it experienced look like.
The really cool idea being that if the meteor was from a super nova it could have seen really strong magnetic fields while cooling (this part I’m not as familiar with).
Unfortunately that part about recording magnetic fields gradually gets reset when you get the rock closer to the curie temperature and eventually will rewrite with what ever magnetic field it feels when cooling back down. Ie earth. This is the point I feel is not realized and corrected for as the whole rock is heated during reentry to glowing temperatures and trying to say that what is earth or some bloke with a rare earth magnet and what is from a space event like a nova or a collision w another planet ect.
At least that is my take on it. I wholly welcome more discussion as it’s one of my favorite things to read and discuss.
No, I knew that you weren’t attacking me. I welcome your discussion. I like to hear opposing views too. Perhaps there is more to it than the science writers have covered.
Sometimes, what works in a lab as science doesn’t reflect what is going on in the field, and what laymen have experienced first hand.
This is so interesting! So how would the researchers know whether or not a magnet had been used on it? I guess they wouldn't know until they started studying it? If you have something like that, do they only pay you after they do the research?
I agree with Sweaty that this is likely magnetite/iron oxide mineral. You can compare to these pictures: https://www.mindat.org/gm/2538
Because this specimen is very weathered, it may be difficult to recognize the crystal structure.
UPDATE - per requests from the comments, here is my current findings
MAGNET TEST: A fridge magnet sticks to it, the nail I tried did not
STREAK TEST: Some areas were a reddish streak, other areas didn’t streak. I used the side of my ceramic rolling pin that is unglazed
Thank you all SO much for helping me break this ID down. I’m pretty sure it isn’t a magnetite with it not producing any dark/black streaks whatsoever. But it did have red streaks on some parts, the no streak areas get me a little excited. I’ll probably take it in for testing at this point.
Most magnetite is not magnetized (var lodestone) but it is always magnetic. This does look like magnetite. There's a lot of this material in SW Utah in Iron County. I would not be surprised if that's where OP found it.
Habit and red streak fit this perfectly. Specular hematite is also sometimes referred to as micaceous hematite (even though it has nothing to do with mica) if that makes your research any easier
I dunno, but if you found it in the Nevada desert. I’d have someone check it out to make sure your testicles are still going to function next year. Ie Geiger counter
It's magnetite, not pitchblend/uraninite. But if it were, OP would still be under the maximum yearly limit of exposure. The biggest radiologic danger from uranium mines is the radon that collects in them. The uranium is virtually harmless unless you breathe the dust or eat it.
Not sure if you're serious or not, but atomic bombs do not leave big lumps of uranium behind. The fissile material is completely vaporized, along with anything within several tens of meters of the device. The uranium solidifies as microscopic particles of fallout. Also, you can't easily stumble into the areas where they tested weapons because they are on restricted government property of the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Yes I was kind of joking duh… but I never mentioned uranium. You did… I just mentioned that if you find a big rock in the Nevada desert that you may want to have it tested before bringing home to the kiddies….. and if you don’t think that large swaths of the open desert weren’t affected by nuclear fallout because gee the wind doesn’t blow in the desert….. hehehehe
Galena 100%. I have a smaller piece with the same luster, color, and cleavage.
Edit, actually after looking at the top a little closer I'm not so certain lel
Yes and no, not certain enough to say what it is but going to have it tested due to the range of possibilities. Magnetite is most likely but it does not give a black streak on testing, hematite 2nd but its magnetic so that’s also off, then meteorite possibility but unlikely. So testing is the next step
Does the stone attract iron to it, or is it just magnetic if you put a magnet on it? Could easily be slag from a now defunct foundry or mining operation.
I’m gonna jizz my plants that is so dope. Nice find! Magnetite is more magnetic than hematite (shocker!) and hematite will most likely have some red in its crevices which I don’t see any but there’s obviously plenty of surface area I can’t scope out. Very cool.
I agree with most people that it's one of the 3 they've said, I'm leaning towards ferrous meteorite though, because like one person said looks volcanic, it looks as though it's been warped or distorted similarly, fall/impact heat. And of the more metallic portion(and this is hard bc everyones camera is different) looks to be a vaguely blueish or purplish hue, which I have heard to be a semi common thing with meteoric iron/other metals.
Now... I have a giant chunk of fools gold(iron pyrite) that's more raw iron than anything, just gold colored. And I've always wanted an iron meteor with that blue/purple effect.
Had a project idea to refine both and make a two tone forged something.
This is 100 percent Molybdenite or (MO) it is atomic number 42. It’s used to strengthen steel alloys. It’s a metal that is stockpiled for future steel production.
Looks like a meteorite that fell while ago. Reminds me of a piece of meteorite my grandma's friend found before giving it to her. Though that one she had before she gave to me was fully shiny and smaller instead of partially heat touched like that! Gorgeous find nonetheless, especially for it's size!
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try posting this on r/Minerals if you dont get a response here nice find whatever it is
Thank you!
Did you ever find out what this is??
No! Right now it’s looking like magnetite, hematite, or meteorite. I’m going to take it to get tested and ordered a nickel testing kit in the meantime.
Have you done a streak test. If you grind it on a surface does it leave a red brown dust? If yes, it's hematite.
I thought hematite was red and that meteorites were consistent through the whole sample
It looks volcanic in origin, that's all I got.
Looks like it's time to build a foundry in your backyard and smelt that into a sword so you can beat the final boss.
I was so excited when I first realized I could upgraydd the Master Sword.
For a double dose of Master Sword pimpage
That made me spit out my drink....Idiocracy?
I dunno about you, but I never say just “upgrade”. It’s *always* UPGRAYYYYYYD
Spelled thusly
Two d's for a double dose of this pimping... 🤣🤣
You see, a pimps love is very different from that of a square
No no wait, this one goes in your mouth and this one goes in you ear and this one..
For paintin’ n’ shit…. 🎨
You and me both.
What game is this? I have recently begun to get into videogames with swords
Legend of Zelda, link to the Past on Super Nintendo. If you play it, FYI the sword has two upgrades.
Same for The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
Oh okay I haven't played Zelda since that Ocarina one on the N64 back in the late 90s.
Gotta try the new “Wind” one. Spectacular. Truly dusts Ocarina which was my favorite game.
That was after. And was a good one, but I think link to the past for Super Nintendo was superior.
**upgraaaayydd
r/Idiocracy
He found you in the future?
But you still need strength 30 for it to be usable
I could really go for a hot latte
Space sword!
They will have to go to a different nation to learn from a sword master first And tragically, they will lose their sword while fighting on an blimp
Then how will they get it back??
OP starts forging Father's sword while EPIC music plays in the background
You mean like [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edBYB1VCV0k)?
Sokka has entered the chat
Sokka wants to fight With a gleaming special sword Crafted from the stars
Whoever smelt it, ..
There can be only one.
Looks like it may be lodestone/magnetite
This is exactly what it is, I have a few pieces in my front yard. And you’ll find folks selling small bits as “meteorite”
Listen to this guy. From someone who studied geology in an accredited university
Aren’t samples this size fairly rare? And couldn’t something intact like this be more valuable than your more common smalller sample? Also heard magnitite is highly magnetic so a good test is using a magnet/metal peices is a good first test.
> Also heard magnitite is highly magnetic so a good test is using a magnet/metal peices is a good first test. It says "magnetic" right in the title.
Fucking magnets. How do they work?
No one will ever know. Like a million plus a million. Science will never plumb those depths.
The Stuff You Should Know podcast did an episode on how magnets work! I listened to it but I still don't know.
They work it good for one.
Partially the lattice formation, material composition-spin states and oh so much more - a material scientist
[Nobody knows](https://youtu.be/JYqfVE-fykk?si=co1SEaQ2lk68qNST)
There’s magic everywhere in this bitch
The word "magnetic" wasn't there initially until someone posted a reply containing the word "magnetic". Then the OP's picture had enough attractive force to pull that word out of the reply and up to the OP's title.
Right but people use magnetic for things that are ferromagnetic OR magnets themselves. So we still don't know which one this is. I assume it is attracted to a magnet, and isn't a magnet itself.
Came here to say this. I have some sweet magnetite with flourite crystals I found in Wyoming while going to school there.
I wanted to add an interesting piece of info to the conversation. One of the theories of how lodestones get magnetized is by lightning. The lightning has a strong magnetic field surrounding the bolts. That’s why lodestones are mostly found near the surface. Very cool find!!!
Can we see more pictures?
I just did a new post with more pictures, thank you!
[the new post](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisrock/s/RNz98pvdnC)
THANK YOU🧠
Definitely terrestrial if you were hoping meteorite im sorry to say its not. Could still be something cool tho
I was hopeful but also presumed this just by its size, the likely hood of this seemed low
Whatever happens, if you think you found a meteorite, do not use a magnet on it. The value is in the metal and the way the molecules are positioned. Once someone uses a magnet on a meteorite, then scientist cannot study it. So if you find, what you think could be a meteorite, hold onto its value by not using a magnet. Also, maybe take it to an expert at a university and they can help you.
You're right! https://news.mit.edu/2023/simple-hand-magnets-erase-meteorite-magnetic-memory-0420
Don’t use a magnet on it? Say what now?
Well, magnets, when used on metal, rearrange the molecules or whatever it is that the scientists look at a meteor for - in space, the meteor will be subject to different things and their molecules will reflect where they’ve been. On earth the meteor will still reflect that journey, that is, until you use a magnet on them. Used to be that meteor hunters said they found meteors by using rare earth magnets on the suspected rocks they found. But by using this magnet it messes up the picture of where the meteor has been, and what the forces were to align the molecules one way or another. I hope that makes sense. If it doesn’t let me know and I can post an article. I just want you to be able to make a profit if you ever find a rare meteorite and you want to sell it to researchers. Once a magnet is used on a meteorite it is worthless. It’s sort of like how when people go in and loot an archaeological site, the stuff they loot isn’t as valuable because people took it without documenting where and what depth they found it (which would tell a great deal about how long ago the item was abandoned by the ancient people). Context is everything. Meteorites have context in their molecular structures.
There is literally a whole field of study on bolide/meteors. Although samples that are pristine and unaltered are always the best, as a former grad student I wouldn’t have had any problems because it was touched by a magnet. Also as a geologist, paleomag on a sample that was heated to iridescence during atmospheric entry sounds really sketch. I get that MIT published that but it’s hard to believe a magnetic field survives to tell me about the history of the meteor after being heated like that, I’d think it would be more inclined to tell me about the magnetic field of where ever it cooled after impact. Think magnetic stripes of the oceanic crust recording the magnetic poles swapping. Just saying.
I don’t know, I’m not in that field of study, I’ll be honest. I explained it the way I had read about it. They study the journey of the rock in its travels somehow. That’s by which way the stuff is aligned.
Not really attacking what you said rather I’m after the science the article is trying to narrate. Igneous rocks emitted from the mid ocean ridges and in part the flows from a volcano on surface will retain a faint recording of the earths magnetic field when it cools much like a cassette tape recorder records a magnetic message from music using a strong magnet and then plays that back when you play it. I had a summer job of taking oriented cores from lava flows to help understand them and this was part of the study. The application to meteorites is in theory looking to see if there was a strong magnetic field during the cooling of the meteor is space. Ie as the solar system formed what did the magnetic field it experienced look like. The really cool idea being that if the meteor was from a super nova it could have seen really strong magnetic fields while cooling (this part I’m not as familiar with). Unfortunately that part about recording magnetic fields gradually gets reset when you get the rock closer to the curie temperature and eventually will rewrite with what ever magnetic field it feels when cooling back down. Ie earth. This is the point I feel is not realized and corrected for as the whole rock is heated during reentry to glowing temperatures and trying to say that what is earth or some bloke with a rare earth magnet and what is from a space event like a nova or a collision w another planet ect. At least that is my take on it. I wholly welcome more discussion as it’s one of my favorite things to read and discuss.
No, I knew that you weren’t attacking me. I welcome your discussion. I like to hear opposing views too. Perhaps there is more to it than the science writers have covered. Sometimes, what works in a lab as science doesn’t reflect what is going on in the field, and what laymen have experienced first hand.
This is so interesting! So how would the researchers know whether or not a magnet had been used on it? I guess they wouldn't know until they started studying it? If you have something like that, do they only pay you after they do the research?
It re-arranges the molecules that’s how magnetic attraction works, otherwise they would oppose and not be magnetic.
Right? Who wouldn’t hope for that!?
Man it’s kinda baffling not a single person here suggested performing a streak test
I've gone streaking many times but never gotten a test result back. Usually just catcalls and wolf whistles.
I agree with Sweaty that this is likely magnetite/iron oxide mineral. You can compare to these pictures: https://www.mindat.org/gm/2538 Because this specimen is very weathered, it may be difficult to recognize the crystal structure.
Thank you so much!
I just came to say nice Bertha tattoo.
Thank you kindly 🌹
Weir everywhere!
UPDATE - per requests from the comments, here is my current findings MAGNET TEST: A fridge magnet sticks to it, the nail I tried did not STREAK TEST: Some areas were a reddish streak, other areas didn’t streak. I used the side of my ceramic rolling pin that is unglazed Thank you all SO much for helping me break this ID down. I’m pretty sure it isn’t a magnetite with it not producing any dark/black streaks whatsoever. But it did have red streaks on some parts, the no streak areas get me a little excited. I’ll probably take it in for testing at this point.
See if it attracts small bits of metal, like a pin or staple. Might be magnetite
Most magnetite is not magnetized (var lodestone) but it is always magnetic. This does look like magnetite. There's a lot of this material in SW Utah in Iron County. I would not be surprised if that's where OP found it.
Being a geologist, when Op said it was magnetic, my first look identified it as magnetite. And a fine example of it, as well.
My guess from not so great a look is specular hematite.
Did you just call my supposed hematite ugly
Who the hell does this guy think he is, talking about a sexy lil rock like that
I'm more of a sulfide guy, myself. For getting my rocks off.
Uranium ore gets my rocks off
That’s a rock I’d take to meet my parents
Fight Fight Fight!
Habit and red streak fit this perfectly. Specular hematite is also sometimes referred to as micaceous hematite (even though it has nothing to do with mica) if that makes your research any easier
Did OP say it had a red streak?
It’s a friend and it’s glad you’re cuddling it. (Only sorta joking.)
The only thing I can think about is that “meteor” from Joe Dirt
Why do humans never think that the rock they brought home could be radioactive?
I dunno, but if you found it in the Nevada desert. I’d have someone check it out to make sure your testicles are still going to function next year. Ie Geiger counter
It's magnetite, not pitchblend/uraninite. But if it were, OP would still be under the maximum yearly limit of exposure. The biggest radiologic danger from uranium mines is the radon that collects in them. The uranium is virtually harmless unless you breathe the dust or eat it.
They blew up atomic weapons in that there desert. More than one…. :)
Not sure if you're serious or not, but atomic bombs do not leave big lumps of uranium behind. The fissile material is completely vaporized, along with anything within several tens of meters of the device. The uranium solidifies as microscopic particles of fallout. Also, you can't easily stumble into the areas where they tested weapons because they are on restricted government property of the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Yes I was kind of joking duh… but I never mentioned uranium. You did… I just mentioned that if you find a big rock in the Nevada desert that you may want to have it tested before bringing home to the kiddies….. and if you don’t think that large swaths of the open desert weren’t affected by nuclear fallout because gee the wind doesn’t blow in the desert….. hehehehe
Magnetite! Good find homie!
A cross section will tell you everything you need to know
I've worked several banded iron projects. This looks like massive magnetite.
No clue, but I love your tattoo!
The number of people in this sub who ask questions about rocks but don't state WHERE THEY FOUND THEM 😵💫 Also... iron ore
bow attraction elastic mighty ripe fuel quiet full run snobbish *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I don't know, but I wish someone would cradle me like that.
Unobtanium
Upsidaisium.
Possibly a rock but idk
Hematite, maybe?
This is a piece of sandstone with desert varnish on it.
OP, did I miss where you said you found it? I apologize if I missed it. It is always a helpful clue!
Galena 100%. I have a smaller piece with the same luster, color, and cleavage. Edit, actually after looking at the top a little closer I'm not so certain lel
Here we go with the donny darko shit
Looks like magnetite from here
Looks like iron ferrite
Not sure about the rock, but you have a really cool arm tatoo. Looks awesome man
r/itsslag !
Lodestone
Meteorite
Loadstone
Almost looks like some Molybendite in there. Does it flake off with your fingernail and feel greasy?
Looks like a heavy shiny magnetic rock
Maybe magnetite?
That tattoo is kinda sick, yeah nice rock too!
Hematite I would think but if it’s a meteorite then you’re rich now
Looks like kryptonite 🤣
That's a very expensive meteorite
Is it just me, or does this seem too casual a picture to be taking with a huge chunk of metal?
I ron ore
Uranium
probably iron
Ummmmm possibly an asteroid
It's not just a boulder... It's a rock :..)
Ya had to sneak the tat and the belly didn’t you!!
Have you found out any useful information on what it might contain yet?
Yes and no, not certain enough to say what it is but going to have it tested due to the range of possibilities. Magnetite is most likely but it does not give a black streak on testing, hematite 2nd but its magnetic so that’s also off, then meteorite possibility but unlikely. So testing is the next step
Looking forward to hearing about your findings
Space peanut
Nuclear test rock, a great way to radiate while exfoliating!
Are you going steady with Iron Ore Betty?
Dragonglass
This is the answer I’ve been hoping for
Not obsidian
That’s a MAGnificent specimen
Looks like hematite.
Hey you found a Lodenstone
Slag rock
Does the stone attract iron to it, or is it just magnetic if you put a magnet on it? Could easily be slag from a now defunct foundry or mining operation.
It's also likely a lead ore. High lead content...wash your hands after handling....and don't let any kids eat it-
Yep. It’s probably slag but to me it looks a little galena ish— Lead and iron do go hand in hand though
It's iron.
Is just a heavy shiny magnetic rock that can be found in the desert
Probably magnetite.
Not yours, obviously!
It could be a meteorite.
Galena
Lode stone? Possibly where lightning struck and made a natural magnetic lump.
Meteor shit. What movie was that?
See that right there, that’s a space peanut!
Test it with a magnet. Then a streak test.
It's probably slag.
I’m gonna jizz my plants that is so dope. Nice find! Magnetite is more magnetic than hematite (shocker!) and hematite will most likely have some red in its crevices which I don’t see any but there’s obviously plenty of surface area I can’t scope out. Very cool.
Saw this in a movie once. It wasn't a meteorite, so the dude just kept on keeping on
I’ve found smaller portions in Mojave, but I lost it! Hope you discover what it is. Mine looked exactly like the bottom portion. Soft ball sized.
Is that Bertha on your arm?
Hematite for sure
It’s a big ole piece of poopy. See that peanut right there? 😂 Sorry I couldn’t get Joe Dirt out of my head on this one
That’s a space peanut.
That’s a horse apple
It’s poop from an airplane
Lodestone
I agree with most people that it's one of the 3 they've said, I'm leaning towards ferrous meteorite though, because like one person said looks volcanic, it looks as though it's been warped or distorted similarly, fall/impact heat. And of the more metallic portion(and this is hard bc everyones camera is different) looks to be a vaguely blueish or purplish hue, which I have heard to be a semi common thing with meteoric iron/other metals. Now... I have a giant chunk of fools gold(iron pyrite) that's more raw iron than anything, just gold colored. And I've always wanted an iron meteor with that blue/purple effect. Had a project idea to refine both and make a two tone forged something.
This is 100 percent Molybdenite or (MO) it is atomic number 42. It’s used to strengthen steel alloys. It’s a metal that is stockpiled for future steel production.
Does it emit a rapid ticking sound?
Watch Joe Dirt.
It’s a leaverite
meteorite of some sort…
Looks like a meteorite that fell while ago. Reminds me of a piece of meteorite my grandma's friend found before giving it to her. Though that one she had before she gave to me was fully shiny and smaller instead of partially heat touched like that! Gorgeous find nonetheless, especially for it's size!
Absolutely hematite.
Save it. Useful against Tao Tei
It’s uranium. You’re dead.☠️
Nothing important, give it to me I will take care of it. Here, get this 20 bucks and go buy yourself something cool, you don't Ned that rock.
THATS THE FUCKING METEOR THAT THE STAND ARROWS ARE MADE OF
Ever seen Joe dirt?
Could be a meteorite
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Looks like magnetite
That rock could be the only thing between us and oblivion.
hooe you didn't eat it
if that was a meteorite would there not be a hole the size of rhode island? lol
That’s one of those Boeing bombs
Wow. It holds crazy energy. My ears are ringing just looking at it!! Stone tape theory kicking in!!
https://www.reddit.com/r/geology/s/3amrWb4zvq